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Mother Recieves 60 Years For Starving 4-Month-Old Son To Death

Last updated on Wednesday, March 13, 2013

(WAYNE COUNTY) - The mother of a 4-month-old Richmond boy who died after being severely malnourished has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Derrik Thomas, of TheIndyChannel.com staff reports, Amy Hockett, 22, and Joseph Pierson, 25, were found guilty by a jury last month of multiple charges in the February 2012 death of their son, Khaiden Hockett.

At Tuesday's sentencing, the judge called the case the most horrific, unimaginable crime in Wayne County history.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the baby appeared to be "extremely malnourished, with his skin sagging from the body and having a leather-type look which gave the impression that he was severely dehydrated."

Doctors said the baby, who weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces at birth, would typically weigh twice that at 4 months. Khaiden weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces at the time of his death, police said.

"You knew right away that he had been starved," said Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman.

Amy Hockett told police that she had taken her son to see his pediatrician and had sought treatment for him at the Wayne County Health Clinic several times because he was having trouble keeping formula down.

But records show that Khaiden had only been seen once, since his birth, on Oct. 18, and had never been taken to the clinic. His body was also covered with open sores and dirt at the time of his death.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the couple's home was littered with used diapers, trash and piles of clothes. There was no food in the fridge and Khaiden's room had feces smeared on the wall, police said.

Hockett did not express remorse or say she was sorry at any time during the court proceedings, and the judge spoke extensively about that. Hockett's attorney said Hockett does have regrets.